Welcome

"When Craig comes into the studio I already know the bottom of the mix is going to kill.  His feeling and musicianship are unmatched in my book"


Jon Castelli, The Hit Lab

Los Angeles

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Craig Akin is an in-demand upright and electric bassist in New York City.  He has played and recorded with countless musicians of many different styles.  From jazz to pop, and folk to rock, Craig is comfortable and creative, and can deliver the goods like any veteran on his instrument.  He has performed well over 3,000 gigs and has now added home recording to his arsenal.  


To inquire about booking Craig for your next gig or recording click here.   

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Latest Video

Bass Buggie

Craig relies on the KC Strings Bass Buggie to transport his upright bass around NYC.   Click on the buggie to read more and order yours. 

Listen!


 

February 2012

 

This month I look forward to recording with my friends Marc Douglas Berardo and Alastair Ottesen.   Alastair will bring in the full band to record live at Vanity Sound in Brooklyn.   Marc is based in Rhode Island but we will meet in Manhattan to overdub upright bass on his songs.  Two very different recording approaches and both fine with me.  I like it all when it comes to recording.   I find it very rewarding to lay down my part and then hear the final product.  

Speaking of recording, my latest bass video is up (down below on the left).  This time it's the theme to Family Guy.  A very swinging song that I've always loved and right now on youtube it's the only version with solo upright bass.  

A couple of shows this month that I'm very excited about are Barnaby Bright at Rockwood stage 2 and Jon Paul at the Living Room.   Barnaby Bright has a new record coming out this spring that will do great on the indie folk scene.  

Next month I look forward to South by Southwest in Austin with Hands Off My Sister.  

We'll be throwing down some alt country/southern rock at the worlds biggest music festival.  Also next month will be short tour with Jon Paul around PA, DC, and VA.  If you have not heard Jon Paul, check him out here.  Will be worth your time.  

Thanks for reading, 

Craig 

 

 

January 2012


Happy new year!  Hard to believe I know.   I'm excited for another great year of playing, rehearsing, and recording in NYC, and meeting new people from all over. 

Every year gets better and better.  I am playing and recording an equal amount of upright and electric bass in a variety of projects from modern jazz to indie pop to folk and country.  

Some records due out this year that I had the pleasure of recording on are an acoustic pop songwriter Michelle Riganese; indie folk duo Barnaby Bright; southern rock/alt country band Hands Off My Sister; modern jazz by Josh Kwassman and the Everywhere Band; and avant guard chamber ensemble Pookestra.   

I'm looking forward to some nice shows this month with Abbie Gardner, Jon Paul, Alastair Ottesen, Christine Hoberg, and others.  My schedule is always up to date on the calendar page so If you make it out to a show come up and say hello.  

On a different note, I'm selling the KC Strings Bass Buggie in New York and beyond. They are the best and safest way to transport a double bass.  To read more about and order click here.

Also on a different note, I have a studio apartment in Brooklyn available to rent for short stays. Great private place for a lot less than your average New York hotel!  Here is more info and pics.  

Thanks for reading, 

Craig

 

 

December 2011

 

Last month's highlight was the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, most commonly known as NERFA.  There were over seven hundred musicians, bookers, fans, and industry people there.   It was a great time of playing, eating, hanging out with friends and meeting new ones.   I played a total of 17 showcases with James B. Dukehouse, Caitlin Canty, Jammin Diva's, and Three Tall Pines.   Such a great time and I look forward to the next one.  

Highlights this month include CD release show with Jon Paul at the Living Room on Dec 18.  His record and band sounds amazing and I expect him to be doing more great things in the near future.  Also this month is recording the debut record of the Pookestra, which is a large ensemble of strings, percussion, and voice mostly improvising.   And perhaps the most nostalgic show this month will be at the Blue Room in Kansas City on Dec. 30 with Kerry Strayer and other great friends from back in the day.  Can't wait for that.  

 

Happy holidays,

Craig  

 


November 2011

Thanks for checking in.  Last month I had a great time playing the songs of my new friends Oxzana and Christine Hoberg, and I look forward to more opportunities.  I also made some new friends in Seoul, Korea while playing electric bass with the Shawn Pickler Electric Quartet.  We played at All That Jazz, Club Evans, and Club Palm, and the Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan.  There was an estimated 5,000 people in attendance so that was fun, not to mention the top shelf hospitality.  We had plenty of great food and lodging, etc.  And my friend Kenji Omae sold out of his solo cd's. I'd never signed so many cd's in which I was not on.  
This month is NERFA, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, in Kerhonksen NY.  Always a fun crazy time.  I'll be playing upright bass with James B. Dukehouse, Caitlin Canty, The Jammin Divas, and Three Tall Pines.  Plus lots of eating, hanging out, and late nights.  
Some gigs in the city include Joe Iadanza, Ed Zad trio, and others as seen on my calendar page. 
Thanks for reading and remember to support live music every now and again.
Craig